New Coin and Stamp Unveiled to Commemorate 1967 Referendum and Mabo Decision

24 May 2017

Senator The Hon. Nigel ScullionMinister for Indigenous Affairs

Senator The Hon. Mitch FifieldMinister for CommunicationsMinister for Arts

The Hon. Michael McCormack MPMinister for Small Business

To mark the 50th anniversary of the 1967 referendum and 25 years since the Mabo decision, the Government has today launched a 50 cent commemorative coin and Australia Post stamp today.

Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion, unveiled the coin and stamp at a luncheon with surviving 1967 referendum campaigners, Mabo decision plaintiffs and their families at Old Parliament House.

“The new stamp and coin honour the efforts of campaigners for the 1967 Referendum and plaintiffs of the historic Mabo High Court Decision and reflect our nation’s pride in a journey to reconciliation,” Minister Scullion said.

“The High Court plaintiffs, led by Eddie ‘Koiki’ Mabo, and the referendum campaigners showed extraordinary determination to win their respective battles and change the nation’s history. I am delighted to officially launch today the commemorative coin and stamp in their honour.

“As Australians apply the anniversary postage stamp to letters and pay for goods using the 50 cent coin, they will be prompted to reflect on the efforts of those who fought so hard to make those two historical events a reality.”

Minister for Communications and the Arts, Mitch Fifield, congratulated the Indigenous artists for their work that now features on the coin and stamp.

“I congratulate and thank Boneta-Marie Mabo, granddaughter of Eddie Mabo, for her moving portrait of Eddie Mabo with the Torres Strait Islander flag, and depiction of the 1967 referendum flyer with the Aboriginal flag on the commemorative circulating coin,” Minister Fifield said.

“And Rachael Sarra from Goreng Goreng country, Graphic Designer of Indigenous Creative Agency Galimbaa, has done a spectacular job of capturing the unifying ambition and optimism of the 1967 referendum through the merging of two fingerprints in a colourful design.”

Minister for Small Business, Michael McCormack, said he was pleased that the Royal Australian Mint was marking these important anniversaries through a coin and stamp.

“The Government and the Mint take great pride in commemorating two significant events in our nation’s journey to reconciliation,” Minister McCormack said.

“I am delighted these pivotal events in our country’s history will be immortalised forever with a commemorative circulating coin, which will be a great keepsake.”